These are Jelly Roll Morton's earliest recordings, and if you have any plans to become a Morton completist, this Jazz Classics issue with its chronological presentation is a good way to cover the early work. While the soun... more &raquod quality inevitably leaves much to be desired, the freshness of Morton's invention will surmount that, from the wonderfully percussive smacks at the keyboard in "Grandpa's Spells" to the rollicking energy of "Shreveport Stomp." Other perennial Morton vehicles that are heard in their first versions are "The Pearls" and "King Porter Stomp," while "Big Fat Ham" and "London Blues" are heard in both band and solo piano versions. The CD even goes so far as to include "Steady Roll" by a novelty band called Jelly Roll Morton's Stomp Kings. The group consisted of comb, banjo, and kazoos, but it didn't include Morton. --Stuart Broomer&laquo less

Synopsis

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These are Jelly Roll Morton's earliest recordings, and if you have any plans to become a Morton completist, this Jazz Classics issue with its chronological presentation is a good way to cover the early work. While the sound quality inevitably leaves much to be desired, the freshness of Morton's invention will surmount that, from the wonderfully percussive smacks at the keyboard in "Grandpa's Spells" to the rollicking energy of "Shreveport Stomp." Other perennial Morton vehicles that are heard in their first versions are "The Pearls" and "King Porter Stomp," while "Big Fat Ham" and "London Blues" are heard in both band and solo piano versions. The CD even goes so far as to include "Steady Roll" by a novelty band called Jelly Roll Morton's Stomp Kings. The group consisted of comb, banjo, and kazoos, but it didn't include Morton. --Stuart Broomer

CD Reviews

Birth Of The Genius

Peter Acebal | Christiansburg, VA United States | 01/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although he prided himself as having "invented" Jazz,Jelly Roll Morton WAS the first great Composer of Jazz,long before Ellington;this remarkable CD is invaluable for offering all of Morton's first recordings (the Gennett piano solos and some early band dates,including a swell number,"Steady Roll" complete with comb & kazzoo and NO Morton!?);although the Classics Series are usually well-remastered this CD is no exception,I had much of this on LP and these are the cleanest sounding digital transfers of this material that I've yet heard;the only reason to point up sound quality is only to underscore the fact that ( especially on the piano solos)the 1923-1924 accoustical technology did not permit the full tonal range of Jelly's amazing keyboard virtuousity to be heard;However,you can still hear the exquisite phrasing of "The Pearls" (all but worth the price of the CD) and the terrific left handed fingering on "New Orleans Joys",to say nothing of the wonderful rolling arpeggios on "Frogimore Rag" and not a word of his breathtaking technique on "Perfect Rag";the band sides are a revealing glimpse into Morton's polyphonic mind - he already had his vision of Jazz down pat,it only needed him to find just the right combination of musicians,which he ultimately did (of course) with the classic Red Hot Peppers work for Victor a few years later.
This CD is required listening for ALL Jazz lovers whether Hot Jazz,Cool Jazz,Bop,or whatever,because the history of Jazz can be heard loud and clear here in the hands of its first Genius! Don't Delay .... buy your's today!"

Amazing...

Francois | South Louisiana | 03/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's definately evident Jelly Roll Morton honestly heard an entire jazz band when he wrote these early piano solos."